the lab report - nebraska state patrol pages 6-7 in this issue of the lab report for a listing of...
TRANSCRIPT
Information / Data current as of December 31, 2014
As we all wrap up 2014, the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory would like to focus
on not only the upcoming year, but also on recapping the past year in numbers. In the final
quarterly issue of The Lab Report for 2014, we are providing year-end statistics for the lab.
These statistics include the total number of case assignments per unit/section received for
the year, the total number of agencies who submitted cases to the NSP Crime Laboratory
in 2014, total number of presentations/training provided, the total number of court ap-
pearances by laboratory staff, and database (NIBIN, CODIS, & AFIS) statistics!
We will also provide current analytical unit/section case assignments and approximate
turnaround times, information regarding FREE training opportunities across the state
courtesy of the Crime Lab Road Show, cessation of NIBIN services provided by the
NSPCL, Firearm/Toolmark section analytical capabilities as of 1/1/2015, and an update on
the construction progress of our new facility.
If you have any questions/concerns regarding the topics related to this issue of The Lab Report,
please do not hesitate to contact us (laboratory staff contact information - pg. 10).
Enjoy!
Amy Weber (Firearm/Toolmark Section Analyst - editor, The Lab Report)
The Lab Report Wrap Up - 2014
December 2014 Volume 4, Issue 4
The Lab Report
Table of Contents
NSP Crime Laboratory
2014 Statistical Recap
2-3
Upcoming FREE Training:
2015 Crime Lab Road Show
4
Cessation of NIBIN Services
at the NSP Crime Lab
5
Firearm/Toolmark Section
Analytical Capabilities as of
1/1/2015
6-7
UPDATE: New NSP Crime
Laboratory Facility
8-9
Lab Contact Information
10
ASCLD/LAB accredited
since 2004.
(*approximate turnaround times are calculated for routine cases only - RUSH cases not included)
Biology Unit: 234 assignments (approx. 6 month turnaround time)
Physical Sciences Unit:
Firearm/Toolmark cases: 14 assignments (approx. 2 month turnaround time)
Footwear/Tire cases: 3 assignments (approx. 1 month turnaround time)
NIBIN: 25 assignments (approx. 1 month turnaround time)
Latent Fingerprints Section: 66 assignments (approx. 4 month turnaround time)
Chemistry Unit:
Controlled Substances: 780 assignments (approx. 4 month turnaround time)
Toxicology: 162 assignments (approx. 4 month turnaround time)
Trace: 4 assignments (approx. 1.5 month turnaround time)
The Backlog Corner
Information / Data current as of December 31, 2014
As the 2014 year comes to a close, the NSP Crime Laboratory would like to pro-
vide year-end statistics for the agencies we serve across the state of Nebraska. In addi-
tion to scientific evidence analysis, the seventeen staff analysts provide expert witness
testimony for the court system (state and federal levels) as well as provide educational
presentations/training free of charge throughout the state! Listed below are the NSP
Crime Laboratory year-to-date totals (current as of December 31, 2014). The
“Assignments Received/Submitted” column refers to the number of submissions to the
lab in 2014. The “Reports Written/Assignments Completed” column refers to the num-
ber of 2014 submissions completed.
NSP Crime Laboratory 2014 Statistical Recap
Page 2 The Lab Report
Assignments Received/Submitted
in 2014
Reports Written/
Assignments Completed in
2014
5194 5006
Chemistry Unit
Controlled Substances 3046 2951
Toxicology 583 487
Trace Evidence 28 30
Biology Unit
Biology Casework 718 635
Physical Sciences Unit
Firearms/Toolmarks
(to include Footwear/Tire cases) 122 147
NIBIN 313 382
Latent Fingerprints 374 363
Questioned Documents 10 11
Total Number of Different Agencies Served by the Lab in 2014: ~ 150
Information / Data current as of December 31, 2014
NSP Crime Laboratory 2014 Statistical Recap (continued)
Page 3 Volume 4, Issue 4
Total Court Appearances by Lab Staff in 2014: 66
Total Miles Travelled for Court in 2014: 14,590
Number of Counties Where Testimony was Provided in 2014: 22
Number of Overnight Stays to Provide Testimony in 2014: 12
NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistics Information Network)
NIBIN Hits: 3
Number of Firearms Entered into Database: 426
Number of Cartridge Cases Entered into Database: 577
CODIS (Combined DNA Index System)
CODIS Hits: 63
Offender Samples Received: 3712
AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System)
AFIS Cold Hits: 103
AFIS Latent Prints Searched: 402
Number of Presentations/Trainings Provided by NSPCL Staff: 35
Approximate Number of Presentation/Training Attendees: > 1500
Court Appearance/Testimony Stats
Database Statistics for 2014 (current as of 12/31/2014)
Presentations/Trainings Provided by NSPCL
Information / Data current as of December 31, 2014
The NSP Crime Lab staff will be going on the road again in 2015 to provide
FREE training to all of the law enforcement agencies in the state! Below are the
details of the training to include: locations, dates/times, training topics, and regis-
tration information.
DNA Evidence: DNA Collection, Processing, and its Presentation in Court
Provided By: Representatives from the NSP Crime Laboratory Biology
Unit and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office
Dates/Locations:
Time: 0900-1600 with a break for lunch
Who Can Attend?: Any law enforcement officer in Nebraska
Cost: FREE!!!!! Class sizes will be limited (maximum 30 people)
Continuing Education Credit: Number of CLE hours is currently pending
approval from the Crime Commission.
If you or someone you know is interested in attending, please con-
tact Jason Linder ([email protected]) or Pam Zilly
([email protected]) or call the NSPCL main phone number
(402-471-8950) for further information and to register for class!
FREE Training: 2015 Crime Lab Road Show
Page 4 The Lab Report
February 5, 2015 Norfolk Northeast Community College
February 9, 2015 Scottsbluff Western NE Comm. College
February 10, 2015 North Platte Mid-Plains Comm. College
(North Campus)
February 11. 2015 Grand Island NE Law Enforcement Training
Center
February 12, 2015 Lincoln Southeast Comm. College
February 13, 2015 Omaha DEA Facility (Emerald Pointe
Bldg)
Biology Unit
Jason Linder (Mgr.)
Jeff Bracht
Hillary Duin
Brandy Porter
Heidi Young
Information / Data current as of December 31, 2014
Page 5
Cessation of NIBIN Services at the NSP Crime Laboratory
The ATF has recently reevaluated their approach to the National Integrat-
ed Ballistics Information Network program (NIBIN) and are making many
changes to shift the focus of the program and place the equipment in differ-
ent locations. As a result of these changes, starting on January 14,
2015, NIBIN services will no longer be provided by the Nebraska
State Patrol (NSP) Crime Lab. We will cease accepting new
NIBIN evidence as of January 1, 2015.
All firearms and ammunition components that are currently at the NSP
Crime Lab awaiting NIBIN entry will be prioritized to get them entered
into the network prior to the January 14, 2015 cut-off-date. Items submit-
ted to the NSP Crime Lab after January 1st, solely for the purposes of
NIBIN entry, will be returned to the submitting agency without examina-
tion.
If you would like to explore other options for NIBIN entry, con-
tact the ATF Omaha Field Office at 402-952-2605.
While the NSP Crime Lab will no longer be able to provide NIBIN services,
our Firearm/Toolmark Section will continue to provide all other firearm-
related examinations currently offered. See pages 6-7 in this issue of The
Lab Report for a listing of the services provided by the NSP Crime Lab
Firearm/Toolmark Section.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the NSP Crime Lab
at 402-471-8950.
Firearm/Toolmark
Section
Kent Weber (Sup.)
Amy Weber
Sarah Zarnick
Information / Data current as of December 31, 2014
Although the NSP Crime Laboratory will no longer be providing NIBIN entry/
correlation services for the state of Nebraska, ALL other forensic analysis relating to
firearms, fired/unfired ammunition components, serial number restoration, range esti-
mation analysis, toolmark analysis, and footwear/tire impression will still be per-
formed! Below is an updated list of analytical services performed by the NSPCL Fire-
arm/Toolmark Section:
Determination of caliber and/or class characteristics
General Rifling Characteristic (GRC) analysis to determine possible makes/models of
firearms responsible (investigative aid)
Comparison to other evidence bullets
Comparison to test fired bullets from submitted firearm
Potential identification or exclusion from suspect firearm
Comparison to other evidence cartridge cases/shotshells
Comparison to test fired cartridges/shotshells from submitted firearm
Interpretation/identification of headstamp & caliber (e.g. foreign/military headstamps)
Potential identification or exclusion from suspect firearm
Basic operation & troubleshooting (broken parts, obstructions, testing of reported sce-
narios, etc.)
Silencer/Suppressor construction & component analysis; suppressor sound testing
Determine modifications (full auto conversions, trigger/sear mods, etc.)
Critical measurements (barrel length, overall length, etc. as per State/Federal gun laws)
Trigger pull testing (light or malfunctioning triggers, etc.)
Test fires for basic function & full auto operation
Test fires for casing/bullet comparison
Identify firearm type/make/model/importer through markings, measurements, etc.
(useful for ATF traces & stolen gun checks)
Ejection patterns (requires thorough documentation of case details, crime scene details,
and use of suspect gun)
Firearm/Toolmark Section Analytical Capabilities (1/1/2015)
Page 6 The Lab Report
Firearm/Toolmark
Section
Kent Weber (Sup.)
Amy Weber
Sarah Zarnick
Fired Bullet Analysis
Firearm Function & Identification
Cartridge Case/Shotshell Analysis
Information / Data current as of December 31, 2014
Page 7
Firearm/Toolmark Section Analytical Capabilities (1/1/2015)
Magnetic Particle Inspection
Chemical etching & enhancement
Locate hidden serial numbers or cross-referenced part numbers
[GSR residues from hands are not tested at this laboratory]
Visual & stereoscopic pattern/powder analysis on clothing/other target
Infrared (IR) visualization/capture of gunshot residue patterns
Chemical enhancement of residue patterns on clothing/other target
Chemical enhancement for presence of lead or copper (bullet wipe) around perfora-
tion on clothing/other target
Shot pattern analysis on clothing/other target
Tool to impression comparisons (padlocks, pried items, cut wire/fence, doorknobs
forced with gripping tool, etc.), potentially to identify or exclude suspect tool
Produce toolmarks with suspect tools for comparison to evidence toolmarks
Fracture match of fragmented items (tools, knife blades, keys, vehicle parts, lock piec-
es, etc.)
Knife (or cutting tool) comparisons to cut marks in tire, cables, etc.
Determination of physical size and pattern correspondence
Comparison between photos, casts, lifts, shoes, etc. for potential identification or ex-
clusion of suspect shoe(s)
Produce test prints/impressions for comparison to evidence impressions
Identify brand/style of shoe for questioned impressions
Determination of physical size and pattern correspondence
Comparison between photos, casts, lifts, tires, etc. for potential identification or exclu-
sion of suspect tire(s)
Produce test prints/impressions for comparison to evidence impressions
Identify brand/style of tire from questioned impressions
Serial Number Restoration (useful for ATF traces and stolen gun checks)
Gunshot Residue/Muzzle to Target Range Estimation
Toolmark Analysis
Footwear Impression Analysis
Tire Tread Impression Analysis
Information / Data current as of December 31, 2014
As the construction of the new NSP Crime Laboratory facility at NW 39th
St and Air Park Rd continues into 2015, we will periodically share updates in fu-
ture issues of The Lab Report of the construction progress.
Update: New NSP Crime Laboratory Facility
Page 8 The Lab Report
View of the front of the lab from the northeast corner
View of the east side of the lab
Information / Data current as of December 31, 2014
Page 9 Volume 4, Issue 4
Update: New NSP Crime Laboratory Facility
View of the front of the lab from the northwest corner
View of the northwest side of the lab with attached evidence delivery sally port
Information / Data current as of December 31, 2014
Laboratory Director:
Pam Zilly
Nebraska State Patrol
Crime Lab
1233 Arapahoe St.
Lincoln. NE 68506
(main) 402-471-8950
(fax) 402-471-8954
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday
8am—5pm
Evidence Receipt Hours:
Monday-Friday
9am-4pm
To contact the crime lab
with general laboratory
questions, call the main
phone number or email
Vicki Hopkins at:
The Lab Report Editor:
Amy Weber
Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab Staff Contact Information:
http://statepatrol.nebraska.gov/
Quality Assurance Manager / Evidence Section Manager
Vicki Hopkins [email protected]
Evidence Section
Jan Johnson (Supervisor)
Margaret Wiesen
Laboratory Director
Pam Zilly [email protected]
Physical Sciences Unit
(Manager) VACANT
Firearm/Toolmark Section Latent Fingerprint Section
Kent Weber (Supervisor) Mariana Ward (Supervisor)
[email protected] [email protected]
Amy Weber Steve Burke
Sarah Zarnick Bridget Driver
Chemistry Unit
Celeste Laird (Manager) [email protected]
Controlled Substances Trace Toxicology
Vicky Cowan Mike Auten Brad Rutledge
Abbey Dodds
Meggan Macomber
Biology Unit
Jason Linder (Manager) [email protected]
Biology CODIS
Jeff Bracht Katie Rector (Supervisor) [email protected] Brandy Porter Christel Davis
Heidi Young Hillary Duin